A showdown on the horizon

It is an example of the checks and balances system we have in place in our government.

A legislature can pass a law that the judicial branch can deem improper and the executive branch can veto.

Over the course of our history, these kinds of showdowns have happened hundreds of times.

More often than not, these kinds of showdowns happen when one party attempts to override the work of their opposition.

After Thursday, eyes will be focused on Raleigh for what could shape up to be a huge test of Republican dominance within the halls of the state capitol.

It is Thursday that Republican Gov. Pat McCrory issued the first two vetoes on measures passed by the Republican-held General Assembly.

McCrory vetoed HB 786 — a bill called the Reclaim NC Act — citing the bill makes “it easier for business to circumvent federal immigration law,” allowing for the possibility of more illegal immigrants being hired in North Carolina.

The intent of the bill was to require the Department of Public Safety to study measures addressing the “problem of illegal immigration in the state” and “to clarify which employers are subject to the state’s E-Verify laws.”

The problem he has with the bill is in language expanding the definition of a seasonal worker from 90 days to approximately nine months with regards to an exemption of E-Verify screening.

“My job is to enforce state and federal law and to uphold the U.S. Constitution and I will use every tool necessary to do that and protect North Carolina jobs,” McCrory said in a statement.

Additionally, McCrory vetoed HB 392 which required drug testing for those applying for Work First calling the measure a “recipe for government overreach and unnecessary government intrusion.”

He further called the bill “fiscally irresponsible” and “not a smart way to combat drug abuse.”

The vetoes have left Republican leadership in the General Assembly scrambling on what to do next.

“I will consult with members of the House and Senate on the questions that remain as we move forward,” said House Speaker Thom Tillis, R-Mecklenburg, in a statement.

These vetoes could signify the honeymoon period for leadership in Raleigh is over.

Political pundits viewed the relationship of McCrory and Assembly Republicans as strong and most believed this would lead to sweeping changes across the state. And, for the most part, it has.

But, the actions by McCrory Thursday may signify a willingness by McCrory to stand up and tell party leadership what he believes is wrong instead of just going with the flow.

While we don’t need any more political divisiveness in our state, we do welcome the move by McCrory to use his power for what he feels is the right course of action.

By Matthew Clark, for the Editorial Board

The Daily Courier Editorial Board consists of community members Jerry Brewer, Kyle Bingham, Tom Padgett and Cliff Strassenburg as well as Editor Matthew Clark